Pet owners and their furry friends invited to participate side-by-side

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Prevent Cancer Foundation is welcoming all Washington D.C. metro area pet owners and their pets to the third annual Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K, which will take place in scenic West Potomac Park, Washington D.C. on September 24 from 8-11 a.m. Pet owners can start their own team or register as part of the “Pets for Prevention” team at www.PreventCancer5K.org to participate together and help raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention and early detection research.

Studies have shown that there are a number of health benefits correlated with owning a pet. Pets can help their owners stay active and get regular exercise, as well as help lower blood pressure and reduce stress. The Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K allows both pets and their owners the chance to promote a healthy lifestyle by running, walking or jogging alongside one another.

There will be food, entertainment and activities for everyone involved, but owners are encouraged to sign up sooner rather than later, as the first 100 to register will receive a free doggie bag full of goodies. Upon registering, participants can create personalized donation web pages where family and friends can support a pet in the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K by giving a gift to help stop cancer before it starts.

“Most pet owners are already aware of the many health benefits pets provide and understand the importance of keeping their pets healthy,” said Linda Chastain, Senior Director of Special Events at the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “The Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K is a pet-friendly event that gives owners an opportunity to help keep themselves and their lovable companions active and fit, all while supporting cancer prevention research.”

Owners are asked to please observe proper pet etiquette when participating in the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K, which includes leashing and cleaning up after pets.

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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation:Founded in 1985, Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading health organizations that has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $120 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country.

(Alexandria, Va.)—Duo Dallas Plikuhn and Zachary Rosenthal are cycling across the nation to raise money and awareness for the Prevent Cancer Foundation and two other charities—using a pair of one-gear bicycles. Starting in Brooklyn, N.Y. and riding to Seaside, Ore., the two are first heading south along the Atlantic then west through Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois before embarking on the historic route that Lewis and Clark took while exploring America in 1804.

The Foundation has designated the “One Gear Boys” as a virtual team for the upcoming Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K. Their fundraising goal is $10,000 for each charity. Plikuhn and Rosenthal estimate the trip to take between eight to ten weeks, and will be minimizing costs by camping and couchsurfing along the way. They departed July 31 and are already well on their way, reaching Baltimore this week, bringing their total mileage to 361 miles so far. They are also documenting their journey along the way, hoping to test their own limits while also raising awareness for the three charities.

Those who want to show their support for the “One Gear Boys” can donate through the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K Web site www.preventcancer5K.org.

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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation:The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection. Founded in 1985, the Foundation has provided more than $125 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy and community outreach nationwide. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

Grants will focus on breast, lung and ovarian cancer prevention research

(Alexandria, Va.) – ThePrevent Cancer Foundation has awarded its latest round of research grants to early-career scientists at Georgetown University, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Chicago. The three cancer prevention research projects were selected from a pool of 51 applications nationwide. Each proposal was reviewed by the Foundation’s Scientific Review Panel before being approved for funding. Since 1985, the Foundation has supported over 450 peer-reviewed grants and fellowships at over 150 leading academic institutions and medical centers nationwide.

“The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 25-plus year history of funding new investigators has created a pathway to promising and innovative approaches in prevention and early detection of cervical, prostate and breast cancer, to name a few,” says James L. Mulshine, M.D., Associate Provost for Research at Rush University Medical Center and co-chairman of the Foundation’s Scientific Review Panel. “We are pleased that these three gifted scientists – Drs. O’Neill, Peng and Romero – have chosen to focus their research on cancer prevention, and, by doing so, will ultimately save lives.”

Mammographic breast density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Little information exists regarding women’s awareness of breast density as a risk factor, their own personal risk and whether awareness would change interest in risk management options, such as chemoprevention and enhanced screening. The study will use a mixed methods approach to assess cognitive, emotional and attitudinal variables related to breast cancer risk, with a focus on breast density and management approaches. A pilot intervention program will then be developed that will be aimed at increasing appropriate use of chemoprevention and enhanced screening in women at higher risk due to mammographic breast density and other factors.

Many genetic and environmental risk factors have been identified for lung cancer. The study aims to investigate whether or not it is cost-effective to use individual genetic profiles in the prevention of lung cancer. By predicting and comparing the benefits, harms and costs of various cancer prevention strategies, this study will provide valuable information for public policy decision making regarding the utility of individual genetic information, and help advance the development of personalized cancer prevention and treatment options.

Given the limitations of screening and the current inability to cure ovarian cancer, prevention is the key to mortality reduction. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that metformin, a commonly used treatment for diabetes, also decreases the risk of developing cancer. Preliminary ovarian cancer studies also show that metformin prevents tumor development in mice and inhibits proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. In the proposed study, the research will seek to clarify the cancer prevention effect of metformin in high-risk groups. Patients with obesity and diabetes are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer as both groups have alterations in glucose and/or lipid metabolism that may contribute to cancer development. Metformin affects both lipid and glucose metabolism and therefore is uniquely suited to prevent cancer in these individuals. Currently, the primary means of ovarian cancer prevention is removal of the ovaries. Metformin may ultimately afford women the opportunity to delay removal of the ovaries. The findings from this study may also prove to be applicable to other cancers.

“These projects are on the cutting edge of cancer prevention research,” says Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “They represent the future of cancer prevention—more personalized treatments that can identify those most at risk, tailored treatment plans and other measures—that may ultimately lead to more lives saved.”

Research proposals are reviewed by members of the distinguished Scientific Review Panel, drawn from institutions such as the National Cancer Institute, Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Rush University Medical Center and the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation:The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection. Founded in 1985, the Foundation has provided more than $125 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy and community outreach nationwide. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

Family and friends of cancer survivors welcome to support cancer prevention research

(Alexandria, Va.) — The third annual Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K will honor the thousands of DC-area cancer survivors with a tribute along the race course as well as special recognition following the event. Scheduled September 24th from 8-11 a.m. at West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C., this year’s 5K, themed “Taking Steps, Saving Lives,” welcomes all cancer survivors to come out to walk or run, while raising awareness and needed funds for cancer prevention research.

“Who better to lead the charge against cancer prevention than cancer survivors,” said Linda Chastain, the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K Race Director. “Uniting thousands of survivors, along with prevention supporters, to affirm the importance of cancer prevention and early detection will be truly monumental.”

The Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K, www.PreventCancer5K.org, is an opportunity for families and friends of cancer survivors to raise vital funds for the Foundation’s support of cutting-edge cancer prevention and early detection research, nationwide community outreach and lifesaving educational programs.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K is open to everyone, regardless of age or ability level, and participants can walk, run, jog or set their own pace. For those cancer survivors and their family members unable to attend the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K this year, one can register as a “virtual walker” and still help raise funds to promote cancer prevention research.

Families are encouraged to bring their children and pets, as there will be food, entertainment and activities for everyone involved. Registration is $25 per person, but a family of four can sign up as a whole for only $75. Children age 10 and under are free.

Starting a “cancer survival team” simply requires organizing a few friends, family members or co-workers and signing up on the web site. Upon registering, participants can create personalized donation web pages where others can contribute money, and the top individual and team earners will be awarded prizes.

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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation:The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection. Founded in 1985, the Foundation has provided more than $125 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy and community outreach nationwide. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.